It used to be the norm to have funeral services in the home of the deceased, prior to going to the cemetery.

I was ordained in 1974 and worked in a rural Parish in Perthshire, centred on a reasonably sized village.

A service would be conducted in the sitting room while the undertakers brought the coffin down from an upstairs bedroom to the hearse. Most often the “menfolk” would be in the kitchen when I arrived, knocking back nips regardless of how early it was. Everybody would then cram into the living room and I would stand in front of a blazing fire (which was lit for the occasion both summer and winter) with the back of my trousers singeing. We tried not to listen to the coffin bumping on the banisters on the stairway nor the sometimes desperate whispers of the funeral directors as they tried to manoeuvre the deceased round a curve in the stair.

The shops in the High Street would close and houses would have their curtains closed along the route of the cortège to the cemetery, where, most often, only the men would attend – leaving the ladies to prepare the “funeral tea” back at the family’s home.

People would stop in the street. Men and boys would raise their hats or caps in respect. Cars and other vehicles would give way to the funeral procession.

This wasn’t all that long ago – and, now…. how times have changed amidst the hustle and bustle of contemporary life, where the dead are are seldom honoured as they used to be; and people selfishly ignore the sensibilities of the bereaved.

One response to “The Way We Were”

All culture and civilization comes from religion. Scotland was created as a Christian country (whether Catholic or Protestant). Religion literally means to bind oneself or connect oneself to something.

Last year, I stood still at 11.00am on the 11th November in a packed shopping centre as did other adults, only to see a crowd of White British teenagers strutting along laughing at us. Their own grandfathers or great-grandfathers may have died in WW1 but it meant nothing to them.

Secularism has resulted in a world of self absorbed narcissists who nevertheless struggle with low self-esteem and therefore need crutches such as drugs and alcohol.

A blog dedicated to the thoughts, opinions, ideas and random madness of Edward W. Raby, Sr. - Pastor, Theologian, Philosopher, Writer, Bodybuilder and Football Fan. "Yes, the dog is foaming at the mouth. Don't worry, He just had pint of beer and is trying to scare you." This is a Theology Pub so drink your theology responsibly or have a designated driver to get you home as theology can be as intoxicating as alcohol.